Level.



F. B. MILLER.

LEVEL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17. 1915.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

- INVENTOR. M BY lToRNEY.

. embodying my invention.

T @FFEQE.

FRANK B. MILLER, OF UNIONVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIONCUTLERY & HARDWARE COMFANY, OF UNIGNVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OFCON- NECTICUT.

LEVEL.

AppIication filed February 17, 191.5.

To all 10 ham it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK B. MILLER, acitizen of. the United States, and a resident of Unionville, in thecounty of" Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new andImproved Level. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of implements that are commonly usedfor the purpose of determining horizontal planes or levels, and anobject of my invention, among others, is to provide a device of thisclass that shall be durable and eliicient in oper ation, neat andattractive appearance and inexpensive in construction.

One form of device embodying my invention and in the construction anduse of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may beattained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is aperspective view of a leve Fig. 2 is adetail view in cross sectionthrough the same on plane denoted by dotted line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3'is a perspectiveview of a level embodying my invention and of slightlydifferent construction from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view incross section on plane denoted by dotted line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is aperspective view of a level of still another slightly different form.

It is the purpose of the present invention to produce a level from thinsheet metal, and one that while light and attractive in appearance shallat the same time possess sufficient strength and rigidity to render iteiiicient and accurate in use.

My invention also contemplates the formation of the entire device withthe exception of the bubble glass of a single piece of sheet metal.

In the devices shown in the accompanying drawings each structurecomprises a stock or beam having a flange or rest at the bottom edge anda socket for a bubble glass at the upper edge. These parts are allformed of a single piece of metal stamped to proper form and then bentto shape suitable for a level.

In the form of device shown in Fig. 1 the flange or rest 7 is formed bybending the metal backward upon itself from opposite edges and thenupturning the metal at the center of the flange and at right anglesSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Serial No. 8.716.

thereto to form the stock or beam 6, said upturned parts resting snuglyone against the other. When the blank is stamped out a projection isformed near the lengthwise center at one edge and in forming the levelthis projection, extending from the upturned side 8, is bent to form asocket 9 for the bubble glass 10. the latter being secured within thissocket in any suitable manner. The formation of the base by bending themetal backward upon itself from opposite edges provides the bottom forthe rest. without seam or projection and upon which the instrument issupported, so that there is little liability of the implement becominguneven or bent out of shape. In bending the projection to form the sockt the edge 11 of this projection is set down close against the upperedge of the side 19 of the stock or beam, thus securing the sides firmlyin contact onewith the other and providing a structure that is extremelyrigid. and particularly free from liability to distortion.

In the form of device shown in Fig. 3 the stock or beam 13 is formed ofa single piece of metal and the socket 1 is made in the same manner asthat herein above set out with respect to Fig 1. In the form of thedevice shown in this figure the flanges constituting the rest arecomposed of tabs 15 which are formed on the bottom edge of the stock orbeam and are bent out alternately in opposite directions.

In the structure shown in Fig. 5 the flanges constituting the rest 16are bent outwardly in opposite directions from the stock or beam 17, thelatter being composed of two side parts resting one against the other.as in the device shown in Fig. 1, and the socket 18 for the bubble glassis formed from a narrow piece connecting the two side parts 17 when theblank that this form of the device is made from, is stamped out, thisnarrow piece being bent into socket form, as will be readily understoodby an examination of Fig. 5 of the drawings.

In all of the structures herein shown and described a proper opening ismade in the socket through which the bubble may be observed for thepurpose of operating the implement.

While I have shown and described herein satisfactory constructions ofimplements embodying my ideas, these may be departed I extending inopposite directions to form a rest, the sheet metal having the portionnear its upper edge bent into socket form to receive a bubble glass,such edge resting against the upper edge of the stock proper.

3. A level body formed from a single piece of sheet metal and comprisinga stock having at its lower edge flanges extending in oppositedirections from the stock to form a rest, the bottom of which is smoothand Without seam, and the sheet metal near the upper edge of the stockbeing bent into socket form to receive a bubble glass.

4. A level body formed from a single piece of sheet metal comprising astock,'a rest comprising two thicknesses of sheet metal, one thicknessconsisting of such metal bent in opposite directions from the lower edgeof the stock, and a socket formed by bending the metal above the upperedge of I the stock into tubular form to receive a bubble glass. v

5. A level body formed from a single piece of sheet metal comprising astock of two thicknesses of such sheet metal extending in oppositedirections near their lower edges to form a rest, and a part of whichrest is bent to comprise two thicknesses of metal, and the portion ofthe metal near the upper edge of the stock being bent into socket formto receive a bubble glass. 7

6. A level body formed from a single piece of sheet metal comprising a.stock of two thicknesses of such sheet metal extending in oppositedirections near their lower edges'to form a rest, and a part of which isbent to comprise two thicknesses of metal, and a portion of onethickness of the metal near theupper edge of the stock being bent intosocket form to receive a bubble glass,

the free edge of such sheet metal comprising said socket resting againstthe upper edge of the other thickness of the metal comprising the stock.r

7 A level body formed from a single piece of sheet metal and comprisinga stock of tWo thicknesses of such metal resting firmly against oneanother, a rest comprising flanges extending in opposite directions fromthe lower edge of'the stock, and a,

socket piece formed from a projection of one thickness of the stock,such projection being bent intotubular form with its edge restingagainst the upper edge of the other side piece of the stock.

FRANK B. MILLER. V

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. TAFT, ROBERT E. TAr'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of latents Washington, I). C.

